Kentucky: Department for Local Government - Governor's Local Issues Conference

2009 Spirit of Kentucky Award Winner

The Elliott County Next Generation Enhanced 911 Project

Pictured here alongside Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear are representatives from:
Kentucky Homeland Security
CMRS Board of Kentucky
Elliott County Fiscal Court (Judge/Executive David Blair at podium)
FIVCO Area Development District
Buffalo Trace Area Development District
InterAct Public Safety Systems
Elliott County Emergency Management
Mountain Rural Telecom

Elliott County 911 wins Spirit of Kentucky Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2009) – Today at the 34th Annual Governor’s Local Issues Conference held in Louisville, Elliott County was awarded the 2009 Commissioner’s Spirit of Kentucky Award for its implementation of the state’s first fully capable Next Generation (NG) 911 center.

“I commend Elliott County in being so proactive in seeking out cutting edge technology that will enable citizens to reach first responders any time, anywhere from any device,” said Tony Wilder, Department for Local Government (DLG) commissioner. “The number of public and private entities involved and multiple funding resources pooled demonstrates how valuable this enhanced 911 system is for that region and as a statewide model.”

The award is given to the sponsors of a public project that demonstrates cost effective coordination of government resources among multiple government entities. Elliott County Fiscal Court collaborated with representatives from Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, Commercial Mobile Radio Board of Kentucky, FIVCO and Buffalo Trace Area Development Districts, InterAct Public Safety Systems, Elliott County Emergency Management and Mountain Rural Telecom.

When working to enhance their existing basic 911 center, Elliott County incorporated the infrastructure to prepare them to take advantage of advanced communications technology associated with NG 911 features. The current voice-based processes for reaching public safety will eventually be replaced by a system capable of handling text messages, and picture, audio and video input.

The NG 911 systems will run on internet protocol-based networks supporting other applications such as GIS (geographical information systems), which are used to support 911 call centers, utility mapping and planning and computer-aided dispatch.

Counties surrounding Elliott will be able to connect to the new system to take advantage of cost sharing, decreasing or eliminating fees for local equipment and maintenance at individual call centers.

Nominations for the Spirit of Kentucky Award were submitted to DLG for consideration. Projects eligible for nomination include those of government, public service, private non-profit or quasi-governmental groups or agencies. The award is given annually at the Governor’s Local Issues Conference.

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